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Merlins VSM placement question

Hi all,
I currently own a pair of VSM-MXe for a year now - Very happy with them after trying different front-end and preamp/amp
Despite swapping gear in/out, I notice that the soundstage is always somewhat narrow, too focus at middle (same plan with speaker).
My room is 23ft long x 16ft wide x 10ft high
Speakers are 7ft apart and 5ft from front wall (16ftwide wall). Listening seat is 7.5ft from speakers plan
The whole set up is 1.5ft off to the right of center axis of the room (due to door access)

I followed exact Bobby's instruction including toe-in angle using included tool

My question is did you're Merlins' owners followed exact set up instruction from Bobby, regardless of your room's dimension ? What's your placement dimension?

I want wider and deeper sound stage, not too forward
I have a feeling if I move apart extra 1ft between speakers, or set up the toe-in 3ft behind the seat, I would change the sound stage as I wanted

I have Jim Smith's Get Better Sound with me, but I'm kinda lazy unless I can see if it's worth the sweat

PS: I have tried Cary all-the-way (SLP05+CAD120S+306/200) with CGRs, and Sony 5400ES + ARS Sonum - with same stage sound
Please advice
Thanks
Thuan
128x128thuan98
thuan98's avatar
thuan98 OP
117 posts
 
Hi all,
I'm still using the brass discs that came with the Merlins.
What I need is temporarely disc to move speakers around for best placement (inch by inch).
Reason I'm not using orig disc is this one is too small. If not carefully move, the sharp spike will slip off easyly (happen to me:-)
Best is cut some scrap laminate wood floor 2"x2" and apply disc felt under. The spike will couple with it nicely.
Thanks all
Thuan
bjesien
1,283 posts
 
Remove the spikes and place them on a heavy towel. Move them around for a while and take notes. Put the spikes back on again when you find the "best" location. Fine tune.

The spikes might add 5% but really having the freedom to move them without limitation could add 40%.
bobbyapalkovic
729 posts
 
thuan, no brass disks came with the speakers unless the original owner sent you his. for your type of moving i use a pennies prior to 1980 low zinc variety so the point digs into the penny, then you can move the speakers at will. but be careful still.
let me know how it turns out.
i think you need to call me for set up advice.
best, b
turboglo
110 posts
 
All I can say is, "Location, location, location."

I've had MerlinVSM-MMe's for three years now. I've tried a few placements in my 12' x 18' room. SPeakers are firing down the long wall. I've pretty much followed the Cardas model and had good success. Then last night I had a strong intuition that if I move each speaker back around 2" and closer to the side wall by about 1", it would lock them in better than where I had them. All I can say is that I have some darn good intuition, if I do say so myself. Everything changed for the better especially bass tone and volume. The soundstage opened up considerably. I was so thrilled that I went though several hours of listening to confirm and enjoy the dramatic improvement. I'm not exaggerating. Sounds like I got a new component.

I suspect lots of folks don't have their speakers placed optimally. What a shame because until speakers are really locked in, they're not going to sing to their full potential. Seems like the Merlins are particularly rewarding of careful consideration of placement.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
What are you placement measurement in your 12x18? Same size as my room.
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